The clock chimed three times. Nicholas exclaimed he lost track of time and placed a phone call. When his ride arrived, he tried standing. After adjusting his crutches, he said, “It’s was nice getting to know you better, but I need to get back. Mom seems to get worried about me now if I’m gone too long.” With a glance down at his phone, he added, “I’m surprised she hasn’t called to check in yet.”
With a nod, I rose to walk him to the door. I fully expected us to exchange goodbyes and never see him again. Now that he had thanked me for saving his life, there was no reason for our paths to cross again. Before he turned to leave, he leaned over and gave me a one–armed hug. His touch sparked a vision and my body became rigid as my mind swirled to the night of his crash. Luckily, the vision didn’t last long. Nick quickly withdrew from his embrace as he felt me stiffen.
The present swam back into focus, and my legs felt weak. My gaze swept upwards, and I stared into a pair of eyes filled with questions. I cringed with embarrassment, realizing I had had a vision in front of Nick Canter.
“Did you just…was that a vision?” he asked.
I closed my eyes and nodded, trying to keep from falling apart.
“Are you…are you okay? You appear a little shaken.” The concern in his tone was surprising.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I said reassuringly. I even added a smile for extra emphasis. A weak one, but a smile nonetheless.
He raised his hand like he was reaching out to me. “Are you sure?”
Unable to hide the panic sweeping through me, I glanced back at him, unsure if I would be convincing if I insisted I was okay. I was about ready to explain when a door slamming drew our attention.
All my thoughts evaporated as I stared at a seething Barry, looming on his grandma’s porch as though he was about to pounce. He obviously considered Nicholas a threat—I would have gone all warm and fuzzy inside if not for the cold stare on his face. At least he no longer had that vacant look he had been wearing to school.
Nick shifted back to me. “Possessive much?”
It wasn’t an awful statement, but I didn’t like him talking bad about Barry. He didn’t deserve that. “These past couple of weeks have been rough for him,” I said defensively.
He paused and tilted his head to the side. “So…I take it you guys are together?”
I lowered my head and inhaled deeply. Will I ever get used to us not being together?
“Um…no, not anymore.”
A small smile spread across Nick’s face. Why would he care if I was with Barry or not. He had a girlfriend. “Well, that’s too bad.”
When I didn’t respond, he glanced back at Barry, who was still standing there scowling at us.
The silver BMW pulled into the drive and Nicholas turned around to leave. “It was nice to meet you Heather. I’ll keep in touch,” he said as he hobbled away.
I remained quiet, not sure how to respond. The afternoon spent together was pleasant, but did I want to keep in contact with him? I didn’t think so.
After his car backed away, I angled my body toward Barry and my eyes widened at his stance. He stood there guarded, legs planted wide, chin held high. His eyes seemed cold, almost dark from this distance, guarding his thoughts. But it was painstakingly obvious he wasn’t ready to forgive me, yet.
A light breeze blew my hair into my face, but I didn’t move a muscle. Trapped by the intensity of Barry’s stare, I barely breathed. A few moments passed, then he squeezed his eyes shut, wincing as if he was in physical pain and the last fragments of my heart broke. He just turned and walked in the house, leaving me with that all too familiar emptiness brewing inside.
~23~
Atonement
The time on my phone read 8:30. An exasperated sigh escaped as I plopped on my bed and stared up at my ceiling. I had a half–hour to kill before Nicole arrived. What was I going to do?
Nicole had called yesterday after Nick left, which she only knew about his visit because she was standing next to me when he called and she pestered me until I told her. The reason she claimed for calling was to find out how it went, but a few minutes into our conversation, the actual reason for her call became clear. She asked—no, demanded—that I go kayaking with her today. I tried to decline, but she insisted.
“You have no choice, you have to go with me.”
“Isn’t Barry going to be there?” I asked in a high pitch.
“More than likely. I’m not a keeper of his schedule, you’ll just have to get used to him being in some of the same places as you. You don’t have to talk to him. I’m tired of you being cooped up, hiding like a hermit. Granted he acts like a zombie, but even Barry goes out with his friends; there’s no reason you can’t go.”
“Nicole, I don’t think anyone but you wants me there.”
“Nonsense. Where is it written that during a break–up the female has to hide? Get your butt into gear, it’s high time you got out and had fun.”
I shook my head, but reluctantly agreed. As I hung up the phone, I couldn’t help but chuckle. She’s so bossy.
I glanced around the room and realized Nicole’s assessment of me as a hermit hit closer to home than I’d like. I hadn’t been anywhere except home and school since the breakup. These walls had served as my sanctuary, but they no longer provided the same feeling of safeness. Instead, they seemed constricting, like my room had transformed from my safe place into my personal prison. The need to escape escalated. I ran past my mom and out the backdoor to release this pent–up tension.
I sat on the top step and stared into the woods, letting the gentle sway of the trees calm my anxiety. I loved it out here. I had missed it; I hadn’t been out on the porch since the breakup for fear of running into Barry. I was in the clear today, though, because I had heard his car take off about fifteen minutes before. A shiver ran through me as I recalled the cold stare he had given me last night after Nick’s visit. Will he ever forgive for my deception?
A clinking of metal caused me to turn sharply to the left. My chest tightened at seeing Vivian Elliott, Barry’s grandma, standing on her back porch. I had not seen nor talked to her since the breakup, and the sight of her neatly twisted white bun and the cotton apron draped loosely over her dress caused a lump to form in my throat. God, I missed her.
With a quick glance at my cell phone, I estimated I had about twenty minutes before Nicole’s arrival. If there was ever a chance to approach Ms. Elliott, now would be the time. I stood and brushed off my hiking pants. With my head held high, I walked over toward her house.
As soon as Ms. Elliott saw me, she gave me a wide welcoming smile and my body relaxed. It was funny how a simple smile put a person at ease. She stretched her arms toward me. “Heather, it’s been too long.”
Tears stung my eyes as she wrapped her arms around me. I leaned back for a second. “You don’t hate me?”
“Oh, sweetie, I could never hate you. Despite what you and Barry might think, it’s not your fault.” After draping the rug over the railing, she motioned for me to follow her. “Come on inside, we’ll have some sweet tea.”
I stepped inside and bit my lip. Heat began in my core and worked its way up until my entire face, ears, and forehead were on fire. Sweat beaded on my upper lip as guilt from having her daughter, Jillian, arrested surged through my mind. I shouldn’t have come over here.
Ms. Elliott filled our glasses with her famous tea. We seated ourselves on two kitchen chairs and her eyebrows drew together, the lines of concern prominent. I shifted in my seat and dropped my head, no longer wanting to see her analysis.
“My grandson is stubborn, as stubborn as his old man was. Don’t get me wrong, his father was a wonderful person. Barry inherited most of his traits from him—including being a jug–head,” she said. A small smile crossed my lips at her revelation. “He may get his good looks from my daughter, but that’s about it.”
My chin rose and I gripped my glass tighter as I looked at Ms. Elliott. She s
tared at the empty space behind me with a faraway gaze. I was intrigued. Nobody ever talked about Jillian and all I had heard about her was her bad side.
“She used to be a better person, but that all changed after Barry’s father passed away. She just couldn’t cope anymore. Although Barry resembles her, his mannerisms mimic his dad’s—which became too much for her to handle. That’s when I stepped in to help raise him. Instead of embracing the life around her, Jillian chose a different path, one she felt was easier and less painful. But living life in the fast lane isn’t always easy. It may seem like it at first, but it’s a pace that’s hard to keep up. It takes a toll on you until you reach your breaking point. That’s where Jillian’s at now—her breaking point. The fallout from her poor choices is Barry. He’s lost right now, but I have faith he’ll find his way. He’s strong.”
She snapped out of her trance and stared intensely at me. “You’re strong, too. Have faith child, it will all work out. You’ll see.”
Tears streamed down my face unrelentingly. Ms. Elliott would never know how much I needed to hear those words. “Thanks, Grandma,” I choked.
“Sweetie, don’t fret,” she said, patting the top of my hand.
My cell phone buzzed, alerting me to a text. With a quick peek, Nicole’s words screamed through the phone. Where are you? I’m outside your door. You better not be inside hiding!!
With a laugh, I told Grandma Elliott that Nicole was waiting for me. Before I left, she instructed me to come and see her more often. After assuring her that I would, I jogged to my yard to calm my irritated friend.
“Were you over at Barry’s?” she asked, sounding surprised.
“Yeah, but he’s not home. His grandma and I had a nice, short visit,” I replied with a smirk. She let out a “humph,” which made me laugh. “So where are we going exactly?”
“We’re going kayaking on the Meramec River. We have to drive over to Bourbon, which is about two hours away.”
“What am I going to do if we run into Barry?” I asked.
I wasn’t sure if she tried to hide her hesitation, but I definitely noticed. “We’re running thirty minutes behind, so I think you’ll be all right. The only chance of seeing him would be when we’re done, and by that time, the crowd will be so large, it won’t matter.”
My stomach dipped anxiously, but I decided that I wouldn’t let Barry— or, rather the fear of Barry—ruin my fun. I would enjoy this day, regardless.
Nicole went on, explaining how this kayak/canoe trip was a tradition that had started over twenty years ago with the senior class, but in the years had expanded to include juniors, and later even a few sophomores. She described how it had become so popular, that surrounding schools participated. As she kept talking about water levels, I closed my eyes. After she reassured me that the water wouldn’t be dangerously deep, I zoned out.
~~~~~
The scenery along the Meramec River was the most beautiful I had ever seen. The luscious green trees overhanging the embankments made a spectacular backdrop. I found it exhilarating when the shoreline developed into a stonewalled bluff, with splashes of green covering the bottom. The blue sky reflected in the clear water was breathtaking. It was as if I had been placed in a virtual postcard. The beauty mesmerized me, leaving no room for uneasiness.
We neared the exit point on the river, and the familiar fluttering in my stomach returned, threatening to negate the peacefulness I had experienced just minutes before. I knew everyone hung around after exiting their kayaks, increasing my chances of seeing Barry, and my apprehension. Did anyone warn him I would be coming? At least Nicole was right about the take off. They’d left by the time we arrived. With a small group ahead of us, plus a few behind, Barry was nowhere in sight. That made it easier.
“Heather, this way,” Nicole yelled as we were getting off the river.
I stepped out of the kayak and slipped on a rock, causing me to slide. As I fell, a tall, toned guy grabbed ahold of my arm to help me balance. All I saw was this bodacious six–pack, which I admit wouldn’t have been so bad to fall into. As I released a loud, nervous laugh, I straightened myself, saying a silent prayer for not incurring a vision.
With his hand still on my arm, he leaned over, and asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I think I’ve got it,” I said, flashing him a smile. When he smiled back his eyes roamed across my chest. Clad in nothing but my bikini top and jean shorts, I suddenly felt underdressed.
“All right then,” he said, and grinned.
His fingers brushed along my arm, causing me to turn my head. A choice I instantly regretted when I found myself staring into Barry’s familiar eyes. Why does he have to show up at such awkward moments?
“Well, I’m Derek, let me know if you need any more help,” the cute guy added, snapping me back to attention.
“Thanks, I’m Heather. Um, I’d better get back to my friend,” I said, stumbling on my words and wondering if Derek and/or Barry thought I was an idiot. Feeling foolish was becoming a habit of mine lately.
I snatched up my lunch tote and the rest of my clothes, and bid Derek goodbye.
Nicole raised her eyebrow. “Who the heck was that?”
With a half–grin, I answered, “Derek.”
“Well, well. I’d like to get to know Derek.”
I laughed and shook my head, then pulled on my t–shirt and wiggled into my hiking pants. We sat at one of the empty picnic tables, not too far away from where Barry was sitting. Without trying to steal glances his way, I concentrated on my food. It was still difficult having this distance between us, but I needed to get used to it. We finished eating our lunches and began packing up when the sound of scuffling feet approached from behind..
“Look who we have here guys… it’s the modern–day witch.”
My back stiffened as I slowly turned to see whose voice it was. The tiny hairs raised on the back of my neck when Micha, the jerk from The Gamer, stood less than five feet away.
I stood, completely voiceless, unsure of my next move.
“What is your problem?” Nicole piped up.
Micha glanced at Nicole, before turning to glare at me. “Her. Her kind isn’t welcome around here.” He pointed at me menacingly.
“You have completely lost your mind. For someone who’s supposedly religious, you sure spout a lot of hate. Leave. Us. Alone,” Nicole said.
“Yeah, well what are you going to do about it?” Micha challenged, taking a step closer. His two friends lurked behind him, but they weren’t nearly as intimidating. In fact, the way they shifted their feet and kept turning their heads away suggested they were uncomfortable.
The crowd must have sensed an impending argument because they formed a circle around us. Where was Caleb and the rest of our friends? I fought the temptation to scan the crowd for them, frightened to take my eyes from Micha. I didn’t know what he was capable of.
“Looks like you ran off your little boyfriend. He’s not here to protect you anymore.”
“Go to hell,” Nicole spat.
“And join her?” Micha asked, pointing back at me. “No thanks.”
“Leave.” A voice demanded from behind me.
Those words triggered a painful memory, and I flinched, thinking the command was for me. Barry brushed by to stand between me and the jerk, and I released a small sigh.
“So you’re still defending the little witch, huh?” Micha goaded.
“I’ll say this one more time: leave,” Barry said, clenching his fist.
The last thing I wanted was for him to get into another fight on my behalf. I didn’t know what that creep’s problem with me was, but I wished he’d take Barry’s advice and walk away.
But, instead, he took another step closer toward Barry, getting right in his face. “What did I expect, coming from the bastard son of a whore.”
I gasped. Nicole gasped.
Micha threw a punch at Barry, then everything blurred. Barry ducked another punch and la
nded one on Micha. They needed to stop. Barry’s friends flanked his sides, but didn’t intercede. My pleas for them to end this fell on deaf ears as they continued scuffling. The jeering from the crowd seemed to provoke them further as the fight continued. With one final blow from Barry, Micha landed on his backside.
While Micha’s two friends picked him up and carried him away, Barry turned back toward me. My mouth opened slightly at the sight of blood dripping from the gash above his eye. I wanted to rush to him and tend to his wounds, but I didn’t. Instead, I remained trapped, held captive by his stare. Barry didn’t utter a word. He didn’t have to. His eyes said it all. Gone was the harsh glare, replaced with a softness that suggested forgiveness.
“Dude, what the hell?” Caleb bellowed out.
Barry turned toward his friend. Our moment, broken. But as he walked away beside Caleb and the others, a sense of hope developed. Maybe, just maybe his coldness toward me had lessened.
~24~
Reluctance
“What are you smiling at?” Mom asked.
I glanced through the photos Nicole had just sent me. Mom’s work schedule finally had balanced out, with a regular schedule of Monday through Friday. It was nice having her home on Saturdays, although most evenings she took off with Tanner. This Saturday night was no exception—any minute he’d be here to pick her up.
“Here, I’ll show you.” I passed the phone to Mom, and waited for her reaction.
“Oh, she’s gorgeous,” she gushed in response to Nicole’s prom pictures.
She sat down beside me and scanned through them, commenting on how pretty her dress and up–do were. And she wasn’t lying, Nicole looked beautiful. The purple dress accentuated her body, and the layer of sheer added elegance. Fixed in a fancy twist–bun with dangling curls, her hair was perfect. Jealousy seeped into my veins after viewing the pictures. Perplexed by the sudden onset, I wasn’t sure where it came from. I’d never cared about school dances before. Perhaps I had wanted to go with Barry after all. A month after our break–up, it still hurt to think that we weren’t together.
Deceptions (The Mystical Encounter Series Book 2) Page 16